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Vladimir3027440766px
Inspiring
September 30, 2023
Question

How to use Variables in Adobe Illustrator?

  • September 30, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 1862 views

Dear community, 

 

I am trying to solve a thinkg in illustator, which may or may not work 🙂

I like Adobe Illustrator because of the simplicity and I would like to use it for my 2D vector graphic for my CNC machine.

 

The problem is, that I would like to set some variables for certain dimensions, which I can change later on.

In my case its usually because of the depth of the material I am using. As example I attached classic scenario for Finger Joints. Where The red lines should be the ones , Which I would like to make shorter or longer in case the material thickness change.

 

I can do it in 3D SW where this is completely normall, that each line has some variable, but for simple models, I can prototype it really quickly in Adobe Illustrator and this is the only think which is an obstale for me.

 

thanks for any hints.

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    Kurt Gold
    Community Expert
    Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 1, 2023

    Another clarifying question: Global Editing or using and modifying symbol instances wouldn't work for you?

     

    V
    Vladimir3027440766pxAuthor
    Inspiring
    October 2, 2023

    I am not familiart with Global Editing, I will check what it can do. thank for tip

     

    V
    Vladimir3027440766pxAuthor
    Inspiring
    October 4, 2023

    Unfortunatelly with global editing, I can edit whole object, but not for example in this case only the teeths

    Sergey Osokin
    Sergey Osokin
    Inspiring
    October 1, 2023

    I'll start with a clarifying question. Once you have drawn this snake, what prevents you from selecting the top row of points and using the keyboard arrows to move along the Y-axis by a specified step (Preferences > General > Keyboard Increment)?

    V
    Vladimir3027440766pxAuthor
    Inspiring
    October 1, 2023

    Hi Sergey,

    in this easy case yes, I can do it. but in more complicated models, I would need to edit for example 50 places . Thats why I am looking for a solution which is in other applications where I can insert instead of length 3mm a variable like teethLength = 3mm and if I want to change it in all model I just change the value of he variable to e.g. 4mm and all lines with length "teethLength" adopt accordingly.

    Sergey Osokin
    Sergey Osokin
    Inspiring
    October 1, 2023

    Illustrator has no such variables. I understand that changing the number in the variable should not only change the length of the red line, but also move all adjacent lines? This is probably not an easy task for a script to do either.

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